White Acoustics WA 218S User manual

WA 218S
Operation Manualwww.WHITEACOUSTICS.cOm
Professional Loudspeaker

2 WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
2. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................3
3. Unpacking ...................................................................................................................................................3
4. Connectors / Cabling ................................................................................................................................. 4
5. Polarity Checking .......................................................................................................................................5
6. Amplication and Power Handling ........................................................................................................... 5
7. Crossovers ................................................................................................................................................... 6
8. Equalisation ................................................................................................................................................. 6
9. Positioning ...................................................................................................................................................7
10. Dimensions ................................................................................................................................................8
11. Technical Specications ..........................................................................................................................9
12. Warranty ................................................................................................................................................... 10
13. Declaration of Conformity ..................................................................................................................... 11

WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
2. Introduction
3
2. Introduction
The White Acoustics WA 218S is a dedicated subwoofer designed for high denition sound reinforcement at
low and ultra-low frequencies. It will extend the power bandwidth of sound reinforcement systems to below
30 Hz, making it ideal for effects in club, theatre and concert sound reinforcement. Where ultra-low frequency
enhancement is required together with increased system headroom and maximum impact, combined
frequency overlap is possible with cabinets like the WA 15F. The WA 218S is intended for use on the ground
and can be close stacked while the main system is own. This powerful loudspeaker is capable of delivering
high sound pressure levels with extremely low distortion while maintaining a uniform frequency response
throughout its dynamic range. The WA 218S comprises two 18-inch high efciency bass units housed in a
heavily braced and optimally vented enclosure. Ruggedly constructed from multiple-ply hardwood, the
WA 218S features carrying handles and inserts for castors.
3. Unpacking
Each WA 218S loudspeaker is carefully tested and inspected prior to shipment. After unpacking, please inspect
for any exterior physical damage, and save the carton and any relevant packaging materials in case the
loudspeaker again requires packing and shipping. In the event that damage has been sustained in transit notify
your dealer and the shipping carrier immediately.

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4. Connectors / Cabling
4. Connectors / Cabling
The WA 218S is tted with 4-pole speakON® connectors. Contacts will accept 6 sq. mm wire with an outside
diameter of up to 15 mm and a current rating of 30 A. The pins of the two speakON sockets identied input/
output on the rear of the input panel are paralleled within the enclosure. White Acoustics have adopted the
following wiring standard for the product range:
speakON Connector Signal
Pin 1+ LF1+ and LF2+
Pin 1- LF1- and LF2-
Pin 2+ LF2+ and LF1+
Pin 2- LF2+ and LF1-
When choosing cable type, it is important select the correct cross sectional area in relation to the cable length
and the load impedance. A small cross sectional area will increase the cable’s series resistance, inducing
power loss and response variations (damping factor). Connectors wired with 2.5 sq. mm (12 gauge) cable will
be satisfactory under normal conditions; with very long cable runs, the wire size should be increased. Please
refer to the following table for guidance:
Cable Run (m) C.S.A. Of Each
Conductor (mm)
Cable Resistance
(ohms)
% Power Loss into
8 ohms load
% Power Loss into
4 ohms load
10 2.5
4.0
6.0
0.14
0.09
0.06
1.7
1.1
0.73
3.5
2.2
1.5
25 2.5
4.0
6.0
0.35
0.22
0.14
4.3
2.7
1.8
8.6
5.4
3.6
50 2.5
4.0
6.0
0.69
0.43
0.29
8.6
5.4
3.6
17.0
11.0
7. 2
10 2.5
4.0
6.0
1.38
0.86
0.58
17.0
11.0
7. 2
35.0
22.0
14.00
To facilitate the use of a single amplier channel, pins
1+ and pin2+ are internally linked, as are pin1- and
pin2- (see table). To feed the two drivers (LF1, LF2)
from two different channels, open the termination
panel and cut the links between pins 1 and 2 of the
Speakon connectors

WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
5. Polarity Checking
5
5. Polarity Checking
Checking the polarity of the wiring before the speaker system is mounted or own will help ensure satisfactory
performance. If you do not have a pulse based polarity checker, you may check LF units as follows: Connect
two wires to the + and - terminals of a PP3 (9 V) battery. Apply the wire connected to the positive (+) terminal
of the battery to the speaker cable leg which you believe to be connected to pin 1+ of the speaker connector;
likewise connect the negative (-) terminal of the battery to pin 1-.
If you have wired it correctly, the LF drive unit will move forward. At this point, connect the positive (+) speaker
lead to the + terminal on the amplier and the negative (-) lead to the - terminal on the amplier. However, if the
LF driver moves backwards with the battery test, the input connections need to be inverted before connecting
the amplier.
If problems are encountered, inspect the cable wiring. Note that different amplier manufacturers may
utilise different pin congurations and polarity conventions; if you are using ampliers from more than one
manufacturer, check the polarity at the ampliers as well as at the loudspeakers.
6. Amplification and Power Handling
As with all professional loudspeaker systems, the power handling is a function of voice coil thermal capacity.
Care should be taken to avoid overdriving the amplier into clipping. Damage to the loudspeaker will be
sustained if the amplier is driven into clipping for any extended period of time. Headroom of at least 3 dB
should be allowed.
When evaluating an amplier, it is important to take into account its behaviour under low impedance load
conditions. A loudspeaker system is highly reactive, and with transient signals it can require more current than
the nominal impedance would indicate. Generally a higher power amplier running free of distortion will do less
damage to the loudspeaker than a lower power amplier that is continually clipping. A high powered amplier
running at less than 90% of output power generally sounds superior to a lower power amplier running at
100%. An amplier with insufcient drive capability will not allow the full performance or the loudspeaker to be
realised. (See technical specications section for recommended amplier power.)
When using ampliers from different manufacturers in a single installation, make certain that all have very
closely matched gains. (Variation should be less than +/- 0.5 dB.) This precaution is important to the overall
system balance when only a single active crossover is being used with multiple cabinets. When possible, it is
recommended that the same ampliers be used throughout.

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7. Crossovers
7. Crossovers
The complete range of White Acoustics loudspeaker products can be used in conjunction with the
WA 218S through utilization of the WA 2.4X System Controller or WA 2.6X Loudspeaker Management system.
If you will be using an alternative loudspeaker management system from another manufacturer, please contact
White Acoustics for the correct parameter settings, or refer to the recommended crossover points in the
technical specications section of this manual.
8. Equalisation
The WA 218S requires no equalisation or correction to overcome system limitations; equalisation is
necessary only to compensate for difcult acoustic environments. Over-equalisation can reduce system
headroom and introduce phase distortion, resulting in degraded sound. If equalisation is required, it should
be applied gently and smoothly. Extreme equalization may be detrimental to overall sound quality.

WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
9. Positioning
7
9. Positioning
When a bass loudspeaker is used in an environment with boundary surfaces, its placement affects its
frequency response. When such effects are properly understood, they can be applied to produce the desired
sound quality without the aid of additional amplication.
In the diagram below, gure (A) depicts a loudspeaker in free eld or anechoic conditions. We measure its
sound pressure level at a xed distance (D), and refer to this as our reference level, or 0 dB SPL.
If we now place a large reective surface (such as a wall, ceiling or oor) next to the loudspeaker, as shown
in gure (B), the sound radiated towards the boundary is reected back into the room. As a result, the sound
pressure level can increase by as much as 3 dB, producing the same effect as doubling the available amplier
power. Because the loudspeaker is radiating its power into half as much space, this is known as half space
loading. For each additional boundary, the SPL can increase by a further 3 dB. Corner placement, or eighth
space loading, can increase a bass speaker’s efciency by up to 9 dB.
This effect is not the same at all frequencies, however. Essentially, loudspeakers are only omnidirectional at low
frequencies, where the wavelength is large in comparison to the loudspeaker. At higher frequencies, sound
radiates in a more directional manner. We can position full range loudspeakers next to a boundary in order
to boost the lower frequencies while the highs remain unchanged. In addition, placing bass cabinets close
together results in coupling which also increases bass output.
D
D
D
D
(A) free-eld (B) half-space
(C) quarter-space (D) eighth-space
0 dB +3 dB
+6 dB
+9 dB
How SPL Increases Due To Boundary Effects

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10. Dimensions
10. Dimensions
WA 218 S
5.76
(22.68”)
1100.0
(43.31”) 750.0
(29.53”)
288.0
(11.34”)
288.0
(11.34”)
485.0
(19.09”)
45.5
(1.79”)
155.0
(6.10”) 595.0
(23.43”)
485.0
(19.09”)
45.5
(1.79”)
45.5
(1.79”)
505.0
(19.88”)

WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
11. Technical Specifications
9
11. Technical Specifications
Following are the WA 218S technical specications. These gures are accurate at the
time of printing but please note that all gures are subject to change without notice.
Model
System Type
Frequency Response (-3 dB) 1)
Frequency Range (-10 dB) 1)
System Sensitivity (1 W @ 1 m) 2)
Power Handling
Recommended Amplifier Power
Rated Maximum SPL 2)
Nominal Impedance
Driver Complement
Active Crossover (external)
Construction
Enclosure
Finish
Connectors
Fittings
Dimensions
Weight
Note 1): Average over stated bandwidth. Measured at 1 metre on axis.
Note 2): Unweighted pink noise input, measured at 1 metre in half-space.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
WA 218S
Direct radiating subwoofer - Vented
35 Hz - 600 Hz
28 Hz - 1500 Hz
106 dB (1 W = 2 V for 4 ohms)
2000 W (average), 4000 W (programme), 8000 W (peak)
2 x 1200-2000 W @ 8 ohms
139 dB (average) 145 dB (peak)
4 ohms
2 x 460 mm (18”) Bass drivers
Low Pass fi lter 70 Hz - 300 Hz, 24 dB/octave
Recommended Hi Pass filter 30 Hz, 24 dB/octave
350 litre vented, 18 mm (0.71”) birch plywood.
Vented and internally braced
Textured black paint.
Powder coated perforated steel grille
2 x speakON NL4MP in/out
8 x recessed carrying handles.
16 x M10 bracket inserts allowing
for landscape or portrait mounting
W: 576 mm ( 22.68”), H: 1100 mm (43.3”), D: 750 mm
TBA

10 WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
12. Warranty
12. Warranty
No Maintenance of the WA Series Loudspeakers is necessary.
All White Acoustics professional loudspeaker products are covered by a 5 year warranty from the date of
manufacture, subject to the absence of misuse, overload or accidental damage. Claims will not be considered
if the serial number has been altered or removed. Work under warranty should only be carried out by a White
Acoustics dealer or service agent. This warranty in no way affects your statutory rights.
If your White Acoustics product requires repair, please visit www.whiteacoustics.com to nd your local dealer
or distributor.
Do not ship any product to White Acoustics without previous authorisation.
Our policy commits us to incorporating improvements to our products through continuous research and
development. Please conrm current specications for critical applications with your supplier.

WA 218S Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
13. Declaration of Conformity
11
13. Declaration of Conformity
The following apparatus is/are manufactured in the United Kingdom by White Acoustics Ltd of Rosehall
Industrial Estate, Coatbridge, Scotland, ML5 4TF and conform(s) to the protection requirements of the
European Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards and Directives relevant to Domestic Electrical Equipment.
The apparatus is designed and constructed such that electromagnetic disturbances generated do not exceed
levels allowing radio and telecommunications equipment and other apparatus to operate as intended, and, the
apparatus has an adequate level of intrinsic immunity to electromagnetic disturbance to enable operation as
specied and intended.
Details of the Apparatus: White Acoustics Contractor Loudspeaker
Model Number: WA 218S
Associated Technical File: EMCi6
Applicable Standards: EN 50081-1 Emission
EN 50082-1 Immunity
Engineering Director
06/05/2011

Operation Manualwww.WHITEACOUSTICS.cOm
White Acoustics Limited
COATBRIDGE
North Lanarkshire
ML5 4TF
Scotland
United Kingdom
Part of the TC | Group of companies
REVISION DATE: 07 June ‘11 6481 0590